A full meeting of Hyndburn council heard claims that the machines ‘spread suffering’ and ‘suck life out of communities’.

The council will now write to Maria Miller MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to ‘demand urgent action’ against FOBTs.

But opposition Conservatives accused the lead Labour group of hypocrisy over the issue.

Labour councillor Ken Moss, who put forward the motion, told the meeting that gamblers can bet on debit cards up to £100 every 20 seconds on FOBTs to win a jackpot of £500 – more than four times as fast as the rate of play in casinos.

He said: “It’s frustrating on the planning committee as the current legislation will not allow us to refuse the proliferation of these machines. Something needs to be done.”

Labour’s Coun Clare Cleary, pictured, who seconded the motion, said it was a community issue as well as a financial issue.

She added: “Capitalism is sucking the life from communities - this motion is a small way of us fighting back.”

The meeting heard claims that only 7,000 jobs are created for every £1 million spent on betting, compared to 20,000 jobs for every £1 million spent in the shops.

He said: “Labour deregulated gambling and these machines have been around for 10 years. Labour hasn’t done anything in the past - why now? I just think the statements made have been a bit emotional, and playing up fears.”

Conservative group leader, Coun Peter Britcliffe added: “We have no problem in supporting this motion, but I would say that Labour have acted like a bunch of arsonists setting fires to everything and then complaining that the fire brigade have not arrived fast enough.”